Norwich black cab drivers to protest over Exchange Streethttps://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/23 ... ge-street/Dozens of black cab drivers are preparing to protest in the city centre about the closure of a key route affecting their business.The newly formed Norwich Taxis Association is in the process of planning a day of action next week in response to traffic being banned on Exchange Street.
Black cab driver Craig Dimbleby has been appointed the chairman of the association and said he wants to keep the demonstration as "peaceful and civil as possible".
A day and time have not been confirmed for the protest at this stage.
The city and county councils have said they are in constant dialogue with taxi drivers and that their concerns were taken on board during a public consultation held in the summer of 2021.
A further consultation was held on revised proposals in November 2021.
But Mr Dimbleby believes taxi drivers are being "disrespected".
Image: Norwich Evening NewsHe said: "We are hoping to have 50 to 60 cabs going along to the protest next week. The main argument of the protest is the closure of Exchange Street.
"It's impossible for us to do our jobs with it being closed. On the back of that we are still waiting for a fare increase from the council.
"We want the road back open as we are a public hire service. There is also a lack of access for wheelchair users and visitors to the city centre."
Traffic has been banned from Exchange Street as part of the county council's Connecting The Norwich Lanes project.
But cab drivers believe the closure is costing them hundreds of pounds now the city centre loop is inaccessible.
Mr Dimbleby continued: "We have always had access to Exchange Street for many, many years.
"It makes no sense to close it. We have now got to the point where we feel we have to stage this protest to show enough is enough."
Black cab driver Mark Mills, owner of Green Frog Taxis in Dereham Road, is not part of the association and the protest - but he agrees with the principle of the argument.
Mr Mills said: "If we want to travel from the station to Guildhall, our fares are going up 25 to 30pc as we are having to go the long way round.
"The traffic coming from Grapes Hill towards Chantry Place between 11am and 2pm last Saturday was completely insane.
"Now they have taken Exchange Street out of the equation there is only one way in and out."
It comes after Norwich woman Lucy Hall, 66, acted as a "human bollard" in the street to protest drivers flouting pedestrianisation rules before being removed by police earlier this month.
Image: Norwich Evening NewsA joint statement by the city and county councils said: "This is an area dominated by people walking around the city, making it an unsuitable route for through traffic.
"The scheme makes it safer and easier to get around on foot or by bike, supports outdoor hospitality and the local economy, and improves air quality.
"The feedback we have received has been broadly supportive and people are keen to see the pedestrian zone free of traffic.
"The city council has been discussing fare levels with the taxi drivers and further talks around the distribution and quantity of taxi rank spaces will take place in the coming months."
The statement continued: "Both Norfolk County Council and Norwich City Council have been in constant dialogue with taxi drivers throughout this process.
"We will continue to work with taxi drivers and local businesses as our proposals for the Norwich Lanes progress.”
A Freedom of Information (FOI) request put to Norfolk Constabulary by this newspaper shows up to October 14 that four vehicle owners have been punished with a fine for flouting the pedestrian and cycle zone restrictions this year.
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